If the dog is poorly, they will get veterinary help for the dog, but they are still legally responsible during this time. Perhaps Clifford hates squeaky toys but is obsessed with tennis balls. Ask a lawyer and get answers to your legal questions. Made serious effort in finding his family, with no luck. Jun 16, 2009 #10 Cheshire Figment … You should also have the dog or cat spayed or neutered before it is adopted. © 1995-2020 LawInfo, part of Thomson Reuters. We have a verbal agreement that they would pay all vet bills and for food. ETA yes, would need to know how long they had the dog during these six months. If you find a stray, you have no specific duty to take the stray in. © 1995-2020 LawInfo, part of Thomson Reuters. Most states require you to notify the police or town clerk about the lost within a certain amount of time. Is It Illegal To Abandon A Dog Or Other Animal That I No Longer Wish To Care For? If you surrender the found dog to a shelter, and then adopt the dog from a shelter if no owner claims him during the 72 hour stray hold, then the dog is yours, without a doubt. Which party is more capable of paying for veterinary and other expenses related to the dog? 4. Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles on pet ownership and divorce. However, according to animal control, if you put out food for 30 days for a stray, the cat is considered legally yours. If the dog is microchipped, the shelter or vet will contact the microchip company to locate the owner. Taking in a stray cat is a great way to adopt a new pet that otherwise may never have a good home. Connect one-on-one with {0} who will answer your question. Put a notice in the local newspaper and community websites, and notify local radio stations if they read lost dog announcements on the air. HI ST § 143-10 . Remember that the animal will likely be fearful, and may be sick or injured. What, if any, are my legal requirements to find its owners? Joined Jul 7, 2005. In our first article, we looked at how owners can avoid making a pet a pawn in the divorce process. Many times this is 72 hours, but if a chip is found, this can be as long as 10 days. I was wondering how long I have to have him in my home before he is legally mine? It can be tempting to just give the pet a new name and make him part of your family, but that's not the right thing to do—and in most places, it's illegal. How much time does each party have to devote to the dog? The hold time varies depending on the state and region, varying from a required 24 hours to even 10 days. Photos in public domain. Typically such dogs or cats might have been abandoned as puppies or kittens by human beings who don’t have the responsibility to neuter or spay the parents of these animals or to look after the puppies and kittens on their own. But if you decide to take in the stray, Virginia Code Section 3.2-6551 outlines what you have to do. It's been 5 days now that he's been here, and I want to keep him. Pay attention for any signs of aggression and do not approach a dog that you think may be aggressive. "Treat others as you would like to be treated." Jun 1, 2016 #1 charliana TCS Member Thread starter . bitten them) you will not be ordered to place your dog down. The dog has been to the vet, is on medication and a special diet. Do I Need To Obtain A License To Breed Animals? Now about a week ago, this cat came back so I brought him in again. Please note: different attorneys have interpreted local laws differently, so you may wish to consult an attorney about the legal status of a dog you found. If you choose to surrender the dog to the shelter, there is a legal “stray hold” period before the animal can be released for adoption. 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